Pipeline Trading Systems has hired Mary Lou Giustini as director of sales in its Chicago office.

Giustini was previously managing director, equity sales trading at Merrill Lynch where she co-managed the firm's equity sales and product offering for the Midwest.

Fred Federspiel, president of Pipeline, said in a statement, "Mary Lou is widely-recognized in our industry as a leading and knowledgeable institutional trading expert. Her experience and insights will further enhance the resources devoted to delivering our clients with superior execution performance."

Giustini is a member of the Board of Directors of the Security Traders Association of Chicago and is co-founder of the Chicago Financial Women's Association.